Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19 March 2015 18 May 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 The childminder's teaching is good. She provides a wide range of exciting activities to stimulate children's interest and capture their curiosity. As a result, all children make very good progress in their learning and development.  Children's fine manipulative skills are promoted well. This is because the childminder provides good opportunities for children to practise these skills. For example, they use tools and equipment, such as tweezers and push-button toys.  The childminder effectively promotes children's positive awareness of the similarities and differences in society. Through discussion and play, she helps children to develop a better understanding of the world in which they live.  The childminder provides children with healthy snacks and nutritious home-cooked meals. She uses daily routines to teach all children about good hygiene and, as a result, even the youngest children instinctively know to wash their hands prior to eating.

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This provision is good

 The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding. Robust policies and procedures are in place to safeguard children. This means children's safety is promoted well.  Children benefit from the good partnerships that exist between the childminder, their parents and other early years settings. Regular communication ensures information is shared to enhance their care and learning.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The outdoor area is not always used to the full extent throughout the day to effectively promote children's spontaneous learning.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 maximise the use of the garden so that children's learning outdoors is fully supported throughout the day, enabling them to make informed choices about when they want to play outside.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's home and spoke with the childminder and children at suitable points throughout the inspection.  The inspector conducted a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation and a range of other records, policies and procedures.  The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of the childminder, her assistants and her household, and talked with the childminder about her self-evaluation and improvement plans.  The inspector took into account the views of parents, taken from testimonials provided for the inspection, and information included in the childminder's documentation.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder completes detailed observations, which help her to ensure children are fully engaged and actively involved in their play activities. Continuous assessment enables the childminder to identify children's next steps and plan focused and varied learning opportunities. Children delight in exploring and investigating the properties of rice. Spontaneously, they use their fingers to draw letters and shapes in the rice, and take turns to guess what they are. The childminder sensitively engages the children in conversation and successfully extends their thinking about colour, shape and texture. She skilfully extends children's interests in mark making and promotes their early writing skills. As a result, all children are well prepared for their move on to school or the next stage of their learning. By playing alongside them, the childminder ensures their learning is supported by her secure knowledge of their development. The childminder has created

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who attend. This is good

song bags, which she uses to support children's learning and enjoyment of songs and rhymes. She encourages the younger children to copy simple actions while older children join in by singing and dancing along to the words.

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good

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's routine needs are met and their well-being is supported. Consistent boundaries and familiar routines help children to feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. She constantly praises the children on their achievements. This helps them to develop positive behaviour and build on the necessary skills to support their social and emotional development. The childminder uses daily routines and discussions to teach children about keeping safe and to support their growing sense of independence. As a result, children learn positive skills and attitudes to managing risks. The childminder supports children to be independent as they learn how to manage their self-care. The childminder encourages children to be physically active. They enjoy local walks and picnics in the park. The childminder provides a variety of activities in the garden, such as water play and mark making with chalks. However, the childminder does

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good

not fully maximise outdoor learning because children are not always able to make choices about when they want to play outside.

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provision is good

The childminder and her assistants attend regular safeguarding training. This means they keep up to date with any changes in child protection procedures. A range of policies and procedures are in place, which underpin her practice and promote the safety of the children. All mandatory documentation is in place. The childminder ensures that all assistants have undergone an appropriate induction process. She conducts regular supervisions to ensure their ongoing suitability. The childminder has systems in place for reflecting on her practice. She actively seeks the contributions of both parents and children to identify priorities for continued improvement. Parents' views and comments are evaluated and reviewed by the childminder to further enhance her practice.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY278260 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 860986 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 33

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Telephone number

The childminder registered in 2004 and lives in Kettering, Northamptonshire. She operates Monday to Friday, from 8am until 6pm, all year round, except for family holiday and bank holidays. The childminder regularly works with assistants. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification at level 3. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Telephone number

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Telephone number

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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